[Alpacasite] Re: need good hay in California

Hi Gary,
Nope, I'm not new to buying volume hay, but thanks for the ideas.
Actually in the six years we have been raising alpacas, last year was the only year we were unable to find good hay this time of year. Last year was a particularly terrible one due to all the wet conditions that ruined many crops here in CA.
It's all in where you buy it and who is hiding the good stuff in the average year.
Thanks to all who are giving me sources, both here and privately, keep them coming! :)

Be careful with cabbage and alpacas, it can cause gas and a bit of bloating, especially with crias.
Ciao~
Rachelle

Wyatt & Rachelle Black
Black Magic Alpaca Ranch
Honesty, Integrity, Quality
6500 Digier Road
P.O. Box 457
Lebec, CA
93243
http://www.blackmagicalpacaranch.com
wyattblack@earthlink.net
661-248-6568

Message: 23
Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 23:57:17 -0000
From: "gepp1" <alpacas@greystonemanor.biz>
Subject: Re: need good hay in California

Don't we all ...

It sounds like you're new to volume hay purchasing in California.
Sorry to tell you this but if you haven't gotten good grass hay by
about September, you aren't going to be getting any.

Last year right around this time it became apparent we didn't have
enough hay laid up to get us to first cutting in the spring. I'll
tell you what we did and hopefully you can get by.

To get through this it's a really good idea to test all the
different batches of hay you have or can get.

Ideally what you want is something near 12% protein. So you're going
to make custom blends. It's a real pain but better than the
alternative.

Buy some alfalfa hay! Good alfalfa hay is usually 16-18%. You're
going to use that to get the protein of your mix up to 12%. If you
mix it in good they will not be too successful picking out the
alfalfa.

If it's not too stalky, oat hay is good roughage to mix with the
alfalfa but they waste a lot of it.

Avoid the Bermuda if you can. We've tried giving it to our herd a
few times and universally, if there is anything else they won't
touch the Bermuda.

First find and segregate the best hay you have or can get your hands
on and ration that out to your pregnant dams. If that is not 12%
protein you will need to add some alfalfa.

Start giving everyone some grain along with whatever pellets you
normally feed. Phase the grain in gradually. What I ended up with
was one portion of pellets (one cup) and a grain portion that was
about ? cup. One grain mix we've found works and didn't have any
adverse effect was 50% dry cob and 50% rolled oats.

It's expensive but buy fresh vegetables when you can get them at
semi-reasonable prices. Carrots (use a potato peeler to make very
thin slivers), cabbage, lettuce, kale, any other green leafy veggie,
apple peels. Don't give them this stuff every day but 2-3 times a
week in small amounts.

Also get some variety of early or winter grass seed. Plant it NOW
where they can't get at it. By March you'll be able to allow the
pregnant dams an occasional treat.

Good luck
Greystone Manor
Gary Epp

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